If you plan to keep a car for ten years or more, the price you pay matters less than two other things: how slowly it loses value and how much it costs to keep it running in its second decade. Both point to a fairly small group of cars. Depreciation is the biggest cost For … Read more
Before setting a budget, be clear about what you need the car for. A budget car purchase goes wrong in one of two ways: you buy something cheap that turns out expensive to keep running, or you stretch for a monthly payment that leaves no room for repairs. Setting the budget carefully at the start … Read more
For most buyers, a well-chosen used car is the cheapest way to own a reliable vehicle. The biggest drop in value happens in the first years, and someone else has already paid for it. The risk is buying a car with hidden problems, and that risk can be managed. The advantages Depreciation is the main … Read more
Insulation slows the flow of heat through walls, attics and floors. Its effectiveness is measured as R-value: the higher the number, the better it resists heat flow. R-value depends on the material and the thickness, but also on how well it is installed. A gap or a compressed batt can lose a large share of … Read more
